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Scott pointed out a gaping hypocrisy at LinuxWorld today: since when is LinuxWorld only for "business professionals"? And more offensively, only for those 18 or older? What is this, the Linux draft? Scott writes:

Jonas Luster mentioned this sign to me when I ran into him at the Socialtext booth and he made a great point about the fact that many lead linux and open source developers are under the age of 18. Also, what about Linux geeks with children? So if Linus Torvalds stopped by with his kids to show them the world that their father helped create, I guess they would be turned away. As far as I’m concerned this all goes against the nature of Linux and open source itself. As for “business professionals only”, well that’s just a load of crap. Someone needs to cut off of Tux’s tie and put him back in a t-shirt and sandals.

Such BS. Someone please save the penguin!

💬 Comments from the original post

Martin Wells · 2006-08-16 23:34:57
I went down to complain but I wasn't dressed in a suit so they wouldn't let me in.
Philip Ashlock · 2006-08-17 00:33:29
Lame. Times have changed. I attended LinuxWorld 2001 at the age of 16 and I even got in for free. I really don't understand what the purpose of that would be. Just to think of some young, influential, developers: Blake Ross is 21 and Mark Zuckerberg is 22.
Murali · 2006-08-17 12:09:24
It was just a matter of time before the avuncular Penguin would be co-opted by those perpetuating the enterprise model of information acquisition and distribution. And I hate the fact that their logo blatantly portrays a penguin with a necktie.
/pd · 2006-08-17 14:42:20
they should take a page from google !! 16-year-old Caleb Eggensperger, is being praised by Google as “a genius� and someone who “is going to take over the world some day.�
Lord Metroid · 2006-08-18 01:41:00
There is only one thing to do. Start your own geek focused expo. As it will be better it will outcompete this farce. ( www.piratpartiet.se )
Nicole Simon · 2006-08-18 03:16:46
Now what I COULD understand is if there are special rules of liabilty and such, that they want to restrict access in the way that (this is how I know it from Germany) a parent or someone who is in charge of this minor is allowing this for his child to attend and take responsibility. Looking at the age - 18 with full legal at 21 is something how 16 is handled against full legal with 18 in German - this could be one of those issues where for example insurance has some issues with just allowing younger ones on the fair ground. But, and this is the big but: if this is the case, you do communicate such thing before to avoid the bad news throughout the net. This way it is just plain stupid.
Jeff Sampson · 2006-08-18 16:43:58
The vendors there paid thousands to get their booths setup and promote their businesses. They dont want all their promo CDs and other goodies being snatched up by a bunch of kids. If you've got a good reason to be there (other than to "look around" or "snag free stuff"), I'm guessing you'll get in.

LinuxWorld 2006: No kids allowed